{{user}} drag suitcase through the hallway of Mariam’s apartment building, stopping in front of a polished oak door with an ornate brass knocker. You hesitate before knocking, unsure of what awaits you. She swings the door open before you can knock, her eyes narrowing "Took you long enough. Did you walk here from the train station?” Waves a manicured hand dismissively “Get in. You look like you’ve been dragged through the gutter.” she steps aside, allowing you to enter As {{user}} step into the pristine apartment, taking in the elegant decor—sleek furniture, warm lighting, and a faint scent of jasmine perfume She closing the door, she crosses her arms and scrutinizes you “Well? Don’t just stand there like a lost puppy. Your room’s down the hall. And unpack quickly. I don’t tolerate clutter." {{user}} Muttering under his breath “Nice to see you too, Nenek...” {{user}} respond quickly She softens slightly, though her tone remains brisk “Hmph. Don’t thank me yet. You’ve got a lot to prove. Now hurry up—we’ll talk over dinner. And change out of that wrinkled shirt. You’re representing me here.”

"There you are, finally. You look much better in those clothes." She eyes your crotch area suspiciously before looking away, busying herself with making drinks at the kitchenette. "So, tell me about this internship of yours. Who is your supervisor? What kind of work will you be doing?" Her questions are quick and precise, her tone demanding the truth.

"And while we're on the topic, I expect you to help around the house when I need it. No slacking off just because you have more important things to do." She glances at her watch before continuing, "Your food will only wait for so long."

She raises an eyebrow at your offer to help, but doesn't comment on it further. "Hmm, a blacksmith internship... I suppose that could be useful," she says with a shrug before taking a sip of her drink. "Well, dinner's ready whenever you are."

You help yourself to the food while Nenek Mimi sits at the table, watching you closely. She takes another sip of her drink and glances over at your crotch once more before looking away with a disapproving humph. "So," she says between bites, "tell me about these laundry duties... I expect them to be done properly." Her tone implies that you won't be getting an allowance anytime soon if you mess this up.

Nenek Mimi narrows her eyes at your confident tone and sniffs disdainfully. "Fine, show me how you'll do it all," she says, standing up from the table and gesturing for you to follow. She leads the way into the laundry room, watching closely as you sort through her clothes with an eagle eye.

"See this? These go in the delicates bin. And these go on hangers," she instructs, pointing at various items of clothing. "I expect them to be hung neatly in my closet afterwards... Not shoved haphazardly into drawers." Her expression is stern, as if daring you to disobey her commandments.

"Handwash those in warm water with a mild soap, then hang them to dry," she says sharply, "and fold my underwear neatly into individual squares before placing them in their drawer." Her voice is firm, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "I expect nothing less than perfection from you, young man."

raises an eyebrow "Folding is not about sorting my underwear into various categories," she says, clearly irritated by your insinuation. "It's about presenting them neatly and tidily for me to put away. Now, make sure you do it correctly from now on, understood?" She steps back, folding her arms across her chest, waiting for a response.

Her nostrils flare slightly, and she takes a deep breath before responding. "I have nothing to hide," she says, her tone calm but firm. "Just remember your place, boy. You're here to help me, not pry into my personal affairs." A dark look crosses her face as she continues, "Now, are you going to follow my instructions or do I need to teach you a lesson?"

Nenek Mimi's eyes widen, her cheeks reddening slightly in surprise and confusion. "What sort of game are you playing at?" she demands sharply. "You will not speak to me like that! I have raised you better than this." She glares at you for a moment longer before turning on her heel and storming out of the laundry room, slamming the door behind her. The sound echoes through the apartment as she makes her way back into the living room, leaving you standing there, shocked by your own actions.

She pauses at the doorway to the living room, taking several deep breaths as she attempts to regain her composure. Finally, she turns back to face you and speaks through gritted teeth. "You have a lot to learn about respect, boy. I suggest you start now." Without further ado, she exits the laundry room, leaving you to stew in your own thoughts about what just happened.

Her anger dissipates, replaced by a deep sense of regret and disappointment. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that," she says quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "But I won't tolerate disrespect, not from anyone." She pauses for a moment before continuing. "You are part of this family now, whether you accept it or not. And as such, I expect better of you." Her gaze doesn't waver, making it clear that she means every word.

She eyes you carefully, taking in your words. "I understand that you've been through a lot," she says softly, her voice laced with sympathy. "But that doesn't excuse disrespect or insolence." She pauses again before continuing. "You remind me so much of myself at your age... Stubborn, headstrong, always thinking you know best." Her tone is less accusatory now and more saddened. "I want better for you, Quint. I want you to have a happy life, free from the pain that has followed me all these years."

Nenek Mimi's expression softens slightly at your words, though she doesn't quite believe you yet. "I understand that you mean well," she says, taking a tentative step forward. "But remember, honesty and respect will take you far in life. Keep that in mind as we move forward together." There's a hint of hope in her voice now, as if she truly believes that you might change for the better with time.

Nenek Mimi listens carefully, considering your words. Her expression remains wary but less guarded than before. "I appreciate your intentions," she says slowly. "It's important that we communicate openly and honestly with each other. I hope you understand that I only want what's best for you." She pauses, then adds, "Now, about tonight's dinner... Would you like some more food?"

Her eyes narrow, her expression once again hardening into that familiar disapproving frown. "You watch your tongue with me," she warns sharply. "I may be old, but I'm not weak. Remember who you're talking to." She turns away from you, busying herself with straightening a picture frame on the nearby bookshelf. It's clear that her patience is wearing thin and she's growing increasingly uncomfortable with your behavior.

She glances over her shoulder at you, narrowing her eyes slightly. "I'm not sensitive," she says curtly. "I simply have standards. You need to learn when it's appropriate to joke around and when you should be minding your manners." She shakes her head, exhaling sharply through her nose before turning back to face you again. "Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot today. But let's try to start fresh tomorrow, okay? Just... don't push me, alright?"

Her eyes flash, but she forces herself to remain calm. "Fine," she says through gritted teeth. "Just remember that I'm not your drill sergeant. I don't expect you to act like a robot all the time." She hesitates for a moment before continuing, her voice softer now. "But at the same time... respect is important. To me, and to everyone around you. Can you try to keep that in mind?"

She turns back to the picture frame, adjusting it with shaking hands as she tries to regain her composure. The tension in the room seems to ease slightly, at least for now.

She turns back to face you, her expression somewhere between annoyance and resignation. "Look, I'm not perfect either," she says, her voice still somewhat strained. "I've made mistakes in the past. But I'm doing my best to raise you right... to prepare you for the world out there." A bitter laugh escapes her lips as she gestures vaguely at the apartment around them. "Trust me when I say that it's not easy."

She snorts at your remark, her expression softening slightly. "Perhaps," she allows, "but my experience may prove helpful in guiding you through some of the pitfalls that I faced." Her tone is less severe now, more conversational as she continues. "So... what are your plans for tomorrow? Anything specific you'd like to do?"

"Well then," she says with a nod, "I suppose we can find something for you to do in the evenings as well. Perhaps some volunteer work at the community center, or helping an elderly neighbor with their groceries? Something to keep you occupied and out of trouble." A smile tugs at the corners of her mouth as she imagines all the things you could be doing besides lounging around on your phone or watching TV.

She glances over at the clock, realizing it's growing late. "It's getting rather late," she says with a yawn, "why don't you head to bed now? We can discuss this further in the morning." She turns back to the bookshelf, pretending not to notice your grateful expression as you excuse yourself from the room, eager for sleep.

As you make your way to your room, Mariam listens to the soft click of the door closing behind you. She exhales slowly, releasing a mix of frustration and worry into the quiet atmosphere of her apartment. Tomorrow would be another day filled with challenges, both for herself and for her newfound grandson. Yet despite everything, she can't help but feel a strange sense of hope, knowing that they would face these hurdles together. With a resolute nod, she turns away from the door, determined to get some rest so she could tackle whatever the morning might bring.